Call for Proposals: Alfred State Sustainability Conference
The college's second annual sustainability conference, "Innovations in Technical Education to Advance Sustainability: Student Leadership” seeks paper, poster, and panel presentations and invites submissions of abstracts on any topic related to the conference theme. The primary purpose of the conference, to be held June 6-8, 2013, is to bring together technical education practitioners and scholars to present cases, concepts, or ideas that advance, or have the potential to advance, sustainability through innovative educational practice. The deadline to submit is Dec. 7, 2012.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
The program offers the chance to credential sustainability work through single seminars or a six-seminar sustainability leadership certificate. All work is completed online. Participants will learn to assess the sustainability of their organization's policies and practices, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New online seminars begin 11 times each year, and the next two session start dates are on November 29 and January 24. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Upcoming seminars include "Tools and Techniques for Planning and Managing Sustainability Projects" and "A Systems Approach to Sustainability." Most Ithaca sustainability seminars are now GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) approved.
AASHE Seeks Nominations for Professional Dev't Steering Committee
AASHE is currently seeking campus representatives who are sustainability directors, sustainability staff and faculty to join the AASHE Education and Professional Development Steering Committee. Committee members will provide guidance and feedback on the strategic and fiscal direction of AASHE education projects, initiatives and resources supporting the advancement of sustainability in higher education. To be considered, a completed application form must be submitted by Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.
Call for Proposals: Smart and Sustainable Campus Conference
The 2013 Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference is accepting submissions for presentation and workshop proposals until Dec. 31, 2012. Slated for April 15-16, 2013 at the University of Maryland, the conference will look at defining, understanding and creating solutions to sustainability issues facing campuses. Proposals are welcome in the areas of: community connections, fostering behavior change, the campus as a learning laboratory, strategic implementation, the built environment, and innovation.
Call for Proposals: Society for Teaching & Learning in Higher Ed
(Canada): The Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education invites proposals for presentations at its annual international conference, "Sustainability: Learning to Live, Learning for Life." Proposals will be accepted until Dec. 15, 2012. The annual conference on June 19-22, 2013 at Cape Breton University will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information on post-secondary teaching and learning.
Deadline Extended: Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards
Second Nature has extended the nomination period for its 4th Annual Climate Leadership Awards to November 30. Nominations are invited from American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) signatory institutions to highlight the ways that senior leadership, academic and curricular initiatives, institutional efficiency and innovative financing are being used to adapt to a changing climate. Finalists will be featured in a public voting forum on PlanetForward.org during spring 2013, with award winners announced and recognized at the ACUPCC Presidential Summit.
Environmental Leadership Program 2013 Fellowship
The Environmental Leadership Program is accepting applications for its 2013 Fellowship Program. The program brings together environmental and social change leaders from academia, business, government and the non-profit sector. It offers intensive leadership training and regional networking opportunities. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2013.
EPA P3: People, Prosperity and the Planet Competition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites higher education student and faculty teams to participate in a competition to design solutions for a sustainable future. Winners of the first phase of the competition will receive a $15,000 grant to develop their idea. Designs will then compete at the National Sustainable Design Expo in April 2013 for the P3 Award and a $90,000 grant for real world application. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 11, 2012.
Deadline Extended: AASHE Curriculum Leadership Workshops
This year AASHE is introducing a new approach to differentiating its curriculum workshops. There are now three levels of workshops based upon the participant experience and role in higher education. AASHE's Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership Workshop is a level II workshop in the series and is designed for faculty leaders and program directors. The Advanced Level III workshop, Sustaining Leadership for Curriculum Transformation, is a pilot offering focused on the transformation of higher education broadly and will develop strategies for transforming the curriculum, sustaining and strengthening vision and leadership skills, and shaping the structures within each school and across schools that can reach deeper levels and national arenas. The next workshops are slated for Jan. 7-8, 2013 at Emory University (Georgia) and Jan. 14-15, 2013 at San Diego State University (California). The deadline to apply for both is November 5.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
The program offers the chance to credential sustainability work through single seminars or a six-seminar sustainability leadership certificate. All work is completed online. Participants will learn to assess their organization's green policies and practices, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New online seminars begin 11 times each year. Next two session start dates: November 1 and 29. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Upcoming seminars include "Integrating Sustainability into Training and Curriculum" and "Tools and Techniques for Planning and Managing Sustainability Projects." Most Ithaca sustainability seminars are now GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) approved.
STARS Discount During AASHE 2012
AASHE is offering a discount on STARS registration in celebration of the AASHE 2012 conference. Starting today through October 21, institutions that register as first-time STARS Participants will receive a $250 discount on STARS registration. Registration will be discounted to $650 for AASHE member institutions and to $1,150 for non-members. This offer applies to new registrants only. Please use the coupon code "MYSTARS" upon registration to receive the discount.
AASHE Sustainability Across the Curriculum Leadership Workshop
AASHE's latest Sustainability Across the Curriculum workshops are slated for Jan. 7-8, 2013 at Emory University (Georgia) and Jan. 14-15, 2013 at San Diego State University (California). These workshops are for faculty leaders of all disciplines who wish to develop curriculum change programs around sustainability on their campuses. Through an intensive two days of presentations, exercises, discussions, reflection and planning, participants will become familiar with the philosophy of change in higher education developed through the Ponderosa Project at Northern Arizona University and adapted at Emory in the Piedmont Project. The deadline to apply is October 29.
Rainforest Alliance Student Video Contest
As part of a new college outreach initiative, the Rainforest Alliance is hosting the 2012 “So Practical, It’s Radical” College Video Contest, which invites U.S. college students to submit a short video about what they are doing to make their campus more sustainable such as recycling programs, school gardens, sustainable food sourcing and more. The deadline to submit is October 28.
STARS 2.0 Public Comment Period is Now Open
The STARS 2.0 Public Comment Period will take place from Monday, October 8 through Friday, November 30. Feedback may be submitted on behalf of an individual, institution, organization or business through the Public Comment Form on the STARS website.
Campus Conservation Nationals 2013
Registration for Campus Conservation Nationals 2013 is now open with a deadline of November 1. The nationwide resource use reduction competition challenges college and university campuses to achieve the greatest electricity and water use reductions during a three-week period. During the 2012 competition, participating institutions saved 1.5 million gallons of water and a total of $157,925 in energy costs. Competition begins February 2013.
EPA P3: People, Prosperity and the Planet Competition
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites higher education students and faculty to apply for its competition to design solutions for a sustainable future. Winners of the first phase of the competition will receive a $15,000 grant to develop their idea. Designs will then compete at the National Sustainable Design Expo in April 2013 for the P3 Award and a $90,000 grant for real world application. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 11, 2012.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
The program offers the chance to credential sustainability work through single seminars or a six-seminar sustainability leadership certificate. All work is completed online. Participants will learn to assess their organization's green policies and practices, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New online seminars begin 11 times each year. Next two session start dates: October 11 and November 1. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Upcoming seminars include "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Infrastructure" and "Integrating Sustainability into Training and Curriculum." Most Ithaca sustainability seminars are now GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) approved.
STARS 2.0 Public Comment Period Begins Oct. 8
A draft of AASHE’s STARS 2.0 has been finalized through collaboration with the STARS Steering Committee and Technical Advisors. This will be the first major update of STARS since the release of the original STARS 1.0 in 2010. On Oct. 8, 2012, AASHE will begin seeking feedback on proposed changes through a six-week public comment period.
Student Training for Environmental Protection Puerto Rico 2013
This five-day course is designed to give students the skills needed to become effective environmental advocates and organizers. The program will focus on environmental justice and anti-oppression. During the week, participants will learn how to create successful and diverse groups that will be able to run effective environmental campaigns on their campuses or in their communities.
U.S. Institute of Peace to Offer Peace-building Grants
The U.S. Institute of Peace and the Institute of International Education have launched a mini-grant program for peace-building events. This program will support American colleges, universities and public libraries to enable them to hold events that advance and promote the understanding of peace-building and international conflict resolution. The deadline for applications is Nov. 1, 2012.
Real Food Challenge to Host National Campus Food Day
(U.S.): The Real Food Challenge (RFC) is partnering with the Center for Science in the Public Interest to plan the second annual Food Day across campuses nationwide on Oct. 24, 2012. The event aims to bring attention to the issues of obesity, supporting sustainable farming and making real food available to everyone. RFC is seeking students, staff and faculty members to be campus coordinators for the event. Last year more than 35,000 people participated in campus-organized events at more than 225 colleges and universities nationwide.
Student Opportunity: International E-Waste Design Competition
Organized by the University of Illinois, the Third International E-Waste Design Competition invites students to explore solutions to both remediate the existing e-waste problem and prevent e-waste generation in the future. Ideas must be submitted by November 1, 2012.
'Back-to-School' Limited-time AASHE Discount Offer
AASHE is offering “Back-To-School” discount packages for both first-time AASHE members and first-time STARS Participants starting August 27 and running through Sept. 21, 2012. First-time members that sign up for an AASHE membership will receive a 10 percent discount and one free AASHE 2012 conference pass. First-time STARS Participants will receive a $250 discount on STARS registration. New institutions that sign up for both AASHE membership and STARS will receive a 20 percent discount on AASHE membership and a $400 discount on STARS registration, plus one free AASHE 2012 conference pass.
Biomimicry Institute Student Design Challenge
The Biomimicry Institute invites submissions for its 2012 Student Design Challenge, open to students from any university. Students are challenged to use biomimicry to design a solution that improves water access and management. Teams must register by Oct. 19, 2012 to participate.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
The program offers the chance to credential sustainability work through single seminars or a six-seminar sustainability leadership certificate. All work is completed online. Participants will learn to assess their organization's green policies and practices, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New online seminars begin 11 times each year. Next two session start dates: September 20 and October 11. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Upcoming seminars include "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Policy and Practice" and "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Infrastructure." Most Ithaca sustainability seminars are now GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) approved.
Student Opportunity: Project Green Challenge
Organized by Teens Turning Green, the 30-day Project Green Challenge encourages high school and college students to experience conscious living, informed consumption and the collective impact of individual actions. Kicking off Oct. 1, 2012, the initiative will include daily green challenges with supporting resources, tips, facts and a Green Guide. Twelve finalists will be flown to California for the two-day educational summit Green University, where they will learn more about making a large impact in their own communities.
Arbor Day Foundation Volunteer Contest
Between September 4-28, students who sign-up for a volunteer opportunity through Arbor Day's Volunteer Center will be eligible for daily prizes and a chance to win a Kindle Fire, trees planted in their honor, or a donation to their favorite local nonprofit organization. Students can register for opportunities at local conservation-related organizations.
EPA Campus RainWorks Challenge
This U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water challenge invites undergraduate and graduate students to create an innovative green infrastructure design for a site on their campus. The design should show how managing stormwater at its source can benefit the campus community and the environment. Winning teams will earn a cash prize, as well as research funds for their faculty adviser to conduct green infrastructure research.
Registration Open for 2012 Game Day Challenge
Organized by the College and University Recycling Coalition (CURC), RecycleMania and Keep America Beautiful, with support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WasteWise program, this event challenges colleges and universities to reduce the most waste during home football games. Schools report waste reduction and disposal data during the challenge that is used to determine the winners.
Call for Papers: International Society for Environmental Ethics
The International Society for Environmental Ethics invites submissions of individual papers or proposals for themed sessions for its meeting at the 2013 Pacific Division Meeting of the American Philosophical Association, to be held March 27-31, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif. The deadline to submit is Sept. 1, 2012.
Call for Papers - Sustainability: The Journal of Record
The journal invites manuscript submissions for its 2013 editorial line-up on topics including sustainability programs in higher education across institutions; integration of environmental, social, human and economic focused programs; sustainable food and agriculture programs; design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings; and development of sustainability-geared laws and policy. Submitted manuscripts will undergo peer review.
Arbor Day Foundation Rain Forest Rescue Coffee Program
The Arbor Day Foundation invites dining services and other campus departments to support its Rain Forest Rescue project by serving Arbor Day Specialty coffee in campus coffee shops and dining halls. Participants will receive a customized sustainable coffee program with custom coffee blends and branding; education and training on the best equipment and methods; and scholarship funds.
Call for Nominations: AASHE Board of Directors
AASHE invites any AASHE member to nominate candidates to fill several slots including student representation on its Board of Directors, which oversees policy, provides leadership and promotes AASHE in support of the organization’s mission and needs. The full board holds multi-day, in-person meetings at least once a year and holds bimonthly phone meetings. Overall, board members should expect to contribute an average of 5 to 10 hours per month to AASHE. The closing date for nominations is Aug. 15, 2012.
Submit Green Building Projects for New USGBC Project Database
The U.S. Green Building Council is seeking project profiles of real-life strategies and lessons learned in transforming the built environment on campuses including LEED best practices. Profile facilitators and authors are eligible for three LEED Specific GBCI Continuing Education (CE) credits pending publication of the profile.
USGBC Seeking Applications for Student Regional Chairs
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is looking for student regional chairs to start and manage USGBC Students groups across the country. Regional chairs will work directly with students in their geographical area to advance sustainability goals on a variety of campuses.
Feedback for United Nations System-wide Action Plan on Youth
The United Nations is seeking input from youth and youth-led organizations for the development of a System-Wide Action Plan on Youth. This action plan will affect the way the whole UN system will work with and for youth in the coming years, focusing on five priority areas: employment, entrepreneurship, education (including education on sexual and reproductive health), citizenship and protection of rights, and political inclusion.
Call for Applications: USGBC Innovation in Green Building Award
Presented by the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools in partnership with AASHE, the Innovation in Green Building Award recognizes a leading college or university that is transforming the built environment and creating living laboratories for sustainability. This year's award will be presented at Greenbuild 2012 with a special emphasis on innovative projects that promote institutional change. The awardee in this category will receive free registration at both AASHE 2012 and Greenbuild 2012. The deadline to apply is July 27.
Call for Papers: Int'l Conference on Sustainability
The higher education community is invited to submit papers for the Ninth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic and Social Sustainability, to be held January 23-25, 2013 at the International Conference Center Hiroshima in Japan. This interdisciplinary conference is for scholars, teachers, and practitioners from any professional discipline who share an interest in sustainability where environmental, cultural, economic and social concerns intersect. The deadline to submit is Aug. 8, 2012.
EPA Student Stormwater Management Design Challenge
(U.S.): The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water has launched the Campus RainWorks Challenge, inviting undergraduate and graduate students teams to create an innovative green infrastructure design for a site on their campus that demonstrates how managing stormwater at its source can benefit the campus community and the environment. Winning teams will earn a cash prize, as well as funds for their faculty adviser to conduct research on green infrastructure. Registration opens September 4.
Survey: Campus Sustainability Challenges, Opportunities
Participants in this survey will help inform the thesis of a graduate urban management and development student at Erasmus University Rotterdam. The thesis looks at "Challenges and Opportunities for Practicing Campus Sustainability in Universities."
Survey: Energy Conservation and Sustainability in U.S. Schools
This survey by Pierce Energy Planning asks the higher education community to share information about the sustainability practices in place at their institutions. The survey will inform an upcoming book that aims to identify best practices in energy conservation and sustainability within educational institutions. All responses will be kept confidential unless otherwise specified.
Ithaca College Online Sustainability Leadership Certificate
Ithaca College (New York) offers the chance to credential sustainability work through single seminars or a six-seminar sustainability leadership certificate. All work is completed online. Participants will learn to assess their organization's green policies and practice, communicate sustainability initiatives and evaluate best practices. New online seminars begin 11 times each year. Next two session start dates: July 19 and September 20. Discounts are available to AASHE members. Upcoming seminars include "A Systems Approach to Sustainability," "Establishing Sustainability as an Organizational Purpose" and "How Green is Your Organization: Sustainable Policy and Practice." Most Ithaca sustainability seminars are now GBCI (Green Building Certification Institute) approved.
Become a Project Green Challenge 2012 Team Leader
Hosted by Teens Turning Green, this 30-day challenge mobilizes high school and college students to learn about simple, fun and high impact actions toward a sustainable lifestyle with a focus on informed consumption and the collective impact of individual efforts. Two to four representatives per campus are invited to join the core outreach team to raise awareness and gather sign-ups. Schools with the highest student involvement by September 1 can host a Project Green Challenge-sponsored breakfast or Green Spa on campus.
Community Colleges: Free USGBC Membership
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is offering free membership for one year to community colleges that get involved with Community Green. With support, resources and tools from the USGBC's Center for Green Schools, Community Green colleges work to integrate green building concepts into curricular and co-curricular opportunities, including credentialing and networking.
Deadline Extended: AASHE 2012 Awards Program
The application deadline for all 2012 AASHE award categories has been extended to July 9. AASHE will recognize the achievements of two community, technical or tribal colleges; two four-year institutions; one faculty member; and three students at its awards ceremony in Los Angeles during the 2012 AASHE conference.
Win a Scholarship to Greenbuild 2012
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is awarding Greenbuild scholarships to higher education students, faculty and staff to promote diversity and social equity within the green building industry and the sustainable schools movement. Awardees will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the conference and expo in San Francisco.
Call for Applications: AASHE 2012 Awards Program
AASHE is doubling the number of awards it gives campuses through its annual sustainability awards program. AASHE will recognize the achievements of two community, technical or tribal colleges; two four-year institutions; one faculty member; and three students at its awards ceremony in Los Angeles during the 2012 AASHE conference. The deadline to apply is July 2.
CWI Service-Learning, Sustainability Institutes
The Community Works Institute (CWI) invites the higher education community to join others working to embrace service-learning and sustainability within their teaching practice at two service-learning institutes this summer. The first, taking place July 16-20 in Shelburne, Vermont, will provide interactive training around CWI’s model for service-learning best practice with both an instructional and site-level focus. The second institute takes place July 30–August 3 in Los Angeles.
